Primary Day, whenever it comes, could be an active time for political parties in the 25th Congressional District. Democrats are already girding for a congressional primary as attorney Brianne Murphy already says she will challenge likely party designee Dan Maffei. Now, YNN's Bill Carey says, republicans may be faced with a primary of their own.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK -- In the midst of a busy coffee shop, Robert Paul Spencer says he's ready to challenge a sitting incumbent in the race for congress in the 25th Congressional District.

Despite a record that has most observers labeling her as a conservative, Spencer says the current congresswoman, Ann Marie Buerkle, doesn't live up to that label.

Spencer said, “Maybe in New York Ann Marie seems conservative. But New York conservative sort of isn't really what most, I think, Americans would find to be conservative.”

Spencer says Buerkle has not stood for personal rights or done enough to block efforts to increase the federal debt.

Republican leaders are trying to figure out what this new candidacy is all about. They entered the year not expecting any challenges to incumbent Ann Marie Buerkle.

“I'm not so sure it's a very serious candidacy. I mean, if he wants to get active in local government or he wants to get active in the political process, maybe he should run for the village board up in Parish, where he lives. Maybe he should be a regular voter in his district,” said Onondaga County Republican Chairman Thomas Dadey.

The Republican leadership is raising the residency issue. Spencer lives in Oswego County, just outside the 25th district. There is no residency requirement ,though, for running for Congress, as long as a candidate lives in the state where the congressional race is run. There are also questions about whether Spencer can meet the petitioning requirements to gain access to the ballot.

“I've actually been talking to some organizations in the area and I feel that getting on the ballot is not going to be an issue,” Spencer said.

Scattered among those gathered for his announcement were members of the Tea Party as well as supporters of republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul. The GOP establishment says that won't be enough to mount a successful challenge.

“As far as Ann Marie, Ann Marie will be the nominee of the republican party here in Onondaga County and the 25th congressional district,” Dadey said.

Spencer says the real test will come in a primary, later in the year.

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle had no immediate reaction to the potential primary challenge from Spencer.